Search
Plasmodium ovale
Pathology:
- P. ovale & P. vivax infect primarily younger erythrocytes
- P. ovale & P. vivax differ from P. falciparum & P. malariae in that relapses may occur weeks to months following previous attacks as a result of renewed schizogony from latent hepatic sporozoites (hypnozoites)
Laboratory:
- Plasmodium identified in blood by light microscopy (peripheral blood smear)
- erythrocytes are enlarged in size (1.2-1.5 X)
- 20% of infected erythrocytes are oval in shape
- stippling seen with all forms, except early ring forms
- all stages may be seen in peripheral blood
- trophozoites appear rounded & compact, occasionally ameboid
- 6-14 merozoites, average 8
- Plasmodium ovale serology
- Plasmodium ovale DNA
Related
malaria
General
Plasmodium
Properties
KINGDOM: animal
PHYLUM: protozoa
References
- Clinical Diagnosis & Management by Laboratory Methods,
19th edition, J.B. Henry (ed), W.B. Saunders Co.,
Philadelphia, PA. 1996, pg 1260-64
- Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 14th ed.
Fauci et al (eds), McGraw-Hill Inc. NY, 1998, pg 1180-89